I climbed this route a few times from spring 2003 - summer 2004, and descended it even more. The hogsback led straight to the Pearly Gates back then. Saw different conditions, from quiet midweek fresh snow that allowed me to hike up with boots and trekking poles to crowded steeper summer icy conditions with a gaping crevasse. My first time climbing Hood was solo and I saw the sunrise from the summit; I was back home in Corvallis for lunch.

Climbed this one for the first time in 2010. It was a nice one day hike with the last hour or so feeling a bit steep and icy. We went to the left of the hogsback and up to the ridge. Climbed down on all fours with ice axe and crampons for about 500 feet off the ridge because it was quite slippery. This one looks easy from the parking lot but not the place to start sliding. I also suggest a helmet because you'll have ice and snow wizzing by your head if there are climbers ahead. Have fun!

I got up to where the Pearly Gates are but there was not enough snow or ice to climb- just crumbling rock. We were the only group on the mountain that day and maybe we should have taken the hint. Perfect weather but perfectly un-climbable near the top. :( I will be trying again the next time I'm in Oregon.

My first climb of Mt. Hood was with Mountaineering Explorer Post 999 of Corvallis, OR. That was in July 1971, while in high school. Have been up the south side a half dozen times, as well up the Castle Crags, Leuthold Couloir and Sandy Headwall routes. All were done 'Back in the Day'.

Solo climb in 9 hours roundtrip after frustrating attempt with RMI on Rainier. Winter wonderland! It had snowed some the last come of days and the entire top of the mountain was plastered with hoar. A true gingerbread castle and some of the most gorgeous mountain sceneries I've experienced.

Had to climb around the 'schrund first, then traverse into the Pearly Gates Couloir since the moat was too big and deep to jump safely.
We successfully made it but this isn't anything I would recommend to climb under dry conditions. Kinda dangerous really. But it made for an exciting climb.

This is the route I take first-timers up. Climbed it many times and still enjoy it; a nice way to spend a morning. I've climbed it a few times on a weeknight and went to work the next morning...I'm worthless at work that day, but it's cool to show people photos of that morning's sunset from the top of the state just a few hours after it happened.

Less than two months after my first trip on Mount Hood, I went back solo on June 15 to give my dad a special "Fathers Day" message from the summit. The weather conditions were spectacular. I went up the "Old Chute" and down the original standard "Hogsback" route... I recommend using the "Old Chute" route until/unless the "Hogsback" ridge moves east again (like it was a few years ago) so the traverse would be much less technical.

Went with Timberline Mountain Guides on my first trip up Hood. Unusually good weather for climbing in April. Not a lot of people on the mountain, but they all populated the Hogsback at the same time so there was a nice little gathering of rope teams all trying to get to the Pearly Gates. Snow Bridge well intact. Minor ice and rockfall at the gates. Made the crowded summit at 7:30 a.m. Descent went well until midmorning when we began postholing. Back in time for lunch. Beautiful day all the way around.